Shortlisting A Divorce Lawyer
Singapore has a plethora of divorce lawyers for your selection. According to a reasonable estimate, around 400 legal firms in Singapore handle divorce cases. You always have the option of doing something else. Some individuals poll their network and choose the first name that comes up. Others rely on attorneys they locate online.
Here are a few ways you can shortlist your selection of lawyers for a divorce in Singapore.
Word-of-Mouth
The most popular and preferred option to find a divorce lawyer in Singapore is to ask around your network for the contact of a good one. Law is a personal service, so your compatibility with the lawyer will play a part in your overall satisfaction. We recommend shortlisting a few other lawyers just in case. To be prudent, you may still want to shortlist a few lawyers using the other methods listed below.
Online Advertisements
Like any other industry, the legal industry has its share of online advertisements. Take your time to look through the online profiles of divorce lawyers in Singapore to see if they seem like someone who can empathise with you. Beware of Google advertisements that show fees that seem too good to be true.
Legal Services Regulatory Authority
Singapore has a Legal Services Regulatory Authority that maintains an up-to-date list of practising attorneys and law firms. Go to their website and search their database for the service you need.
Choosing A Lawyer
After you’ve narrowed down your options for divorce attorneys in Singapore, it’s time to move forward with the procedure. You will contact the lawyer through email, phone, or appointment. Lawyers are frequently willing to provide a brief free first session for divorce disputes. Here is a list of questions you need to ask your lawyer.
Q#1: What type of legal services do you need?
In essence, you should ask the lawyer how they would handle your case and what they will accomplish for you.
- Is it a legal proceeding?
- Is it a negotiation on your behalf?
- Is it simply a few documents that need to be signed?
The divorce lawyer should explain the various steps of the Singapore divorce process. All divorce lawyers should be competent to handle the paperwork. It is also the time to find out whether the lawyer has any expertise in family law.
A qualified divorce lawyer should be able to provide you with pearls of wisdom gleaned from previous experience on how to conduct your divorce process. It discusses problems such as when to file for divorce and what you should ask your spouse.
To do so, the lawyer must first grasp your issues and priorities. It is also an indication of their empathy.
Q#2: How much will your needed divorce services from the Singapore lawyer cost you?
You should budget at least $2,500 for legal fees. Even with the cheapest divorce lawyer in Singapore, the most basic cost can reach such a sum. Different lawyers have different rates since it is a personal service dependent on the specific lawyer. The lawyer should be transparent about the costs for each stage of the divorce.
In some cases, it may be worth it to pay higher lawyer fees for your divorce. Some lawyers set themselves apart by providing a more personal touch. They spend more time engaging with each client. Depending on your specific scenario, the extra peace of mind and certainty may be what you want.
If you wish to barter over the fee at this stage, one approach is to demonstrate that you are a mature client who is sensible and will not be demanding on the lawyer’s time.
Q#3: What is the firm setup? With whom will you be cooperating?
If you decide to hire a divorce firm in Singapore, you should find out who will be handling your case. Some larger firms may wind up outsourcing easier disputes to junior associates, with senior lawyers taking control only if things get problematic and expensive.
In contrast, the primary lawyer of smaller law practice will more likely handle your case directly. It is more a question of personal taste as to whom you would like to approach. It often leads to the question of:
Are you comfortable with your divorce lawyer?
Some individuals prefer to use female divorce lawyers, while others prefer male divorce lawyers. Some people would hire divorce lawyers in Singapore of their race. Some people favour lawyers who appear to be affable. There are several approaches to choosing a lawyer.
The lawyer should be able to comprehend your situation and advocate your interests. It is challenging to achieve a suitable resolution if you are uncomfortable with your lawyer. Furthermore, with so many divorce lawyers to select from, you will have no trouble locating a divorce lawyer with whom you are comfortable.
Divorce is difficult, but having a skilled divorce lawyer makes it a lot simpler.
It doesn’t have to be challenging to find a reputable divorce lawyer in Singapore. As previously said, it is a process that you can break down into several phases.
Can You Get a Divorce in Singapore WITHOUT a Lawyer?
Yes, it is possible to get a divorce in Singapore without a lawyer, and many have done it before. However, consider the issue twice before doing so.
Consider what is at risk. It is especially crucial if you have:
- A property (which may be worth at least a six-figure sum on its own),
- Little ones (who are priceless)
In such cases, a divorce lawyer’s costs may be little in comparison to what skilled legal counsel can achieve for you, such as assisting you in obtaining the desired outcome(s) from the divorce.
Individuals will go through the challenge of learning the Singapore divorce process, figuring out how to fill out the forms, and physically submitting paperwork at the Service Bureaus. All these are in addition to coping with the possible emotional impact in your day-to-day life after a divorce.
Furthermore, the above presupposes that your spouse will not dispute the divorce. If they do, you will need to be prepared to do more filing and advocating.
Lie Chin Chin strives to gain a thorough knowledge of your divorce requirements and expectations. They allow you to consult with the best divorce lawyer in Singapore about the next steps before proceeding with your divorce. Lie Chin Chin is open and honest about the costs you might incur through the Singapore divorce process. Come to Lie Chin Chin for your legal needs.
